Polson’s repeat championship bid ends in state semifinals

The Polson Pirates came within one victory of playing for a second consecutive Class A boys soccer state championship, but a narrow defeat against Billings Central brought their title defense to an end.

The Pirates, who captured the program's first state soccer championship last season, fell 1-0 to the visiting Rams in the Class A state semifinals on Friday, Oct. 23, at the Polson Sports Complex.

The loss ended Polson's season with a 13-1-2 record, while Billings Central improved to 14-0-2 and advanced to the state championship match.

The semifinal pitted two of Montana's top Class A programs against each other, with Polson defending its 2025 championship and Billings Central seeking to reclaim the title it won in 2024.

For nearly 50 minutes, neither team could find the breakthrough.

The Pirates and Rams battled through a scoreless first half, with both goalkeepers making critical stops and defenders limiting scoring opportunities.

Polson goalkeeper Wyatt Bartel helped keep the defending champions within striking distance despite sustained pressure from the Billings Central attack.

However, the game's decisive moment came in the 50th minute. Billings Central attacker Vincent Long collected a pass in scoring position and fired a shot toward the Polson goal. Bartel made the initial stop, but the ball deflected back into Long's path.

With the goalkeeper unable to recover in time, Long capitalized on the rebound and sent the ball into the net for the game's only goal.

The Pirates spent the remainder of the contest searching for an equalizer. Jackson Bontadelli and Roman Sawyer led Polson's offensive effort, each recording six shots. Bontadelli placed four attempts on goal, while Sawyer registered three.

Aristo Cannon also generated a shot on goal as the Pirates pressed forward, particularly during the final 10 minutes.

Despite the late offensive pressure, the Rams' defense held firm, denying Polson the opportunity to force overtime. Billings Central finished with a 19-13 advantage in total shots and a 12-8 edge in shots on goal.

Bartel recorded 11 saves for Polson, while Billings Central goalkeeper Colton Toutlotte was credited with five. Both teams finished with four corner kicks and nine fouls in a tightly contested match.

The result marked a disappointing conclusion to an otherwise outstanding season for the Pirates, who entered the semifinal unbeaten and were seeking another opportunity to play for a state championship.

Pirates survive dramatic quarterfinal shootout

Polson's semifinal appearance came after a dramatic victory. The Pirates hosted Bigfork in the Class A state quarterfinals on Oct. 17, advancing with a 4-2 penalty-kick shootout victory after the teams battled to a 1-1 draw through regulation and two overtime periods.

The victory was particularly impressive considering Polson played without two of its leading offensive contributors, Archer Russell and Roman Sawyer, who were sidelined because of cards received during the regular-season finale. Despite the absences, the Pirates found a way to advance.

After a scoreless first half, Cannon broke the deadlock in the 44th minute, scoring off an assist from Cade McConnell to give Polson a 1-0 lead. Bigfork answered in the 61st minute when Pawl Bryman scored off an assist from Payten Morris, tying the match at 1-1.

Neither team managed another goal during regulation or the two overtime periods, setting up a penalty-kick shootout to determine which team would advance.

Polson's Donovan Beeks opened the shootout with a successful attempt, but Bigfork's Ryker McAnally answered to tie the score.

Bigfork goalkeeper Mason Davey stopped Strider Gage's attempt, giving the Vikings a chance to take control. However, Bartel delivered one of the game's biggest plays, stopping Bryman's penalty attempt to keep the shootout tied.

Afton Hatch converted Polson's third attempt before Bigfork's Jackson Rutherford answered, tying the shootout at 2-2. Miles Russell then scored for the Pirates, and Bigfork's Oliver Merchant sent his attempt over the crossbar.

That left Bontadelli with an opportunity to end the contest.

The Polson forward converted his penalty kick, securing the 4-2 shootout victory and sending the Pirates into the state semifinals.

Bigfork held a 29-21 advantage in total shots during the quarterfinal and placed 15 attempts on goal compared to Polson's 14. Bartel made 12 saves, helping the Pirates survive a difficult test against their Northwest A rival.

Pirates say goodbye to senior contributors

Although Polson's hopes of repeating as state champion ended in the semifinals, the Pirates completed another memorable season, reaching the final four after winning the program's first championship the previous year.

The 2026 squad will graduate several important contributors who helped establish Polson among Montana's top Class A boys soccer programs.

Departing players include midfielders Isaac Kinnick and Afton Hatch, forward Jackson Bontadelli, defenders Donovan Beeks and Strider Gage, and goalkeeper Wyatt Bartel.

Kinnick provided a distinctive weapon with his acrobatic throw-ins, while Bontadelli helped lead the Pirates' offensive attack.

Bartel played a central role in Polson's defensive success, including his decisive penalty-kick save against Bigfork in the state quarterfinals.

The Pirates will also lose team managers Edgar Vejez-Pete and Zephyr Sternick.

While another state championship wasn't in the cards, Polson's run to the semifinals demonstrated that the Pirates remain one of the state's premier Class A soccer programs.